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Chapter 282: Listening to the Entrance Exam. (1)

As soon as the rain stopped, the weather cleared up like a ghost.

The sun was setting.

Night had already arrived.

By the time I returned to the inn, it was indeed night.

“Ah, Gu Gongja-nim!”

Just as I came back late, Tang Soyeol appeared as if waiting for me.

Was she perhaps waiting all this time?

“You’re late?”

“I had some matters to attend to.”

“I see… Did you have dinner?”

“Yeah, roughly.”

Actually, I hadn’t eaten but said I did just to brush her off.

It wasn’t exactly mealtime now.

I nodded along as Tang Soyeol chattered happily about what happened today.

“You need to get up early tomorrow, so hurry and sleep.”

“Ah, right.”

I indeed had to get up early tomorrow.

Damn Shinryong Temple.

That thought made my previously good mood sour instantly.

I tried to maintain my expression, but in the midst of it, Tang Soyeol asked something else.

“Gongja-nim.”

“Hm?”

“Did something good happen to you?”

“Out of the blue?”

“Yeah… You just seemed happy.”

“…Ugh.”

Good, huh?

– I missed you.

Was it because of what I’d just heard?

I struggled to hold down the corners of my lips, which seemed to want to curl up.

“More or less.”

Was it to hide that? My response came out sharper than usual.

Tang Soyeol tilted her head curiously but didn’t ask me any further.

As I turned away from Tang Soyeol and headed to my room, I thought, ‘Where did Moyong Hi-ah go?’ She hadn’t been seen around these past few days.

She often disappeared to handle business, so I suppose she’d return on her own.

She should come before the heat dies down.

Creeeak.

“Hm?”

As I opened the door, the candle was already lit in the room.

Thinking a servant had left it on, I stepped in unconsciously.

Then I noticed someone sitting on the bed.

“…You scared me….”

I jumped back a step, trying to see who it was.

Of course, it was Nangong Bi-ah.

“What are you doing here? You nearly gave me a heart attack.”

“I was… waiting for you….”

“And what does my being late have to do with you lying on the bed?”

I spat out in disbelief.

Nangong Bi-ah got up awkwardly as if she had just been caught.

Looking at her hair, it seemed she had been lying there for quite a while.

She looked like she even fell asleep.

“Did you eat?”

“…Yeah.”

“Good girl.”

I tossed off my outer robe carelessly.

I was about to change when…

“Why aren’t you going out? Get out so I can change.”

For some reason, Nangong Bi-ah didn’t leave and sat on the bed looking up at me.

In the dim room, with just a small candle lit, her blue eyes sparkled.

I wondered why she was staring at me or if she wanted something.

Nangong Bi-ah, who had been silently watching me, eventually opened her pink lips and asked,

“…Did you meet her?”

“…!”

I couldn’t hide my shock at Nangong Bi-ah’s question, my face betraying my surprise.

Who did she mean?

There was no need to think too hard about it.

Nangong Bi-ah’s gaze spoke volumes.

She seemed to know that I had met Wi Seol-ah.

‘How did she know?’

She hadn’t even left the inn, how could she have known I met Wi Seol-ah?

That was both surprising and puzzling, but I couldn’t ask her now.

She was demanding an answer.

I met her gaze and replied.

“…Yeah. I met her.”

I didn’t lie.

I didn’t want to lie to Nangong Bi-ah about something like this.

At my response, Nangong Bi-ah continued to stare at me with her unchanging gaze.

What kind of eyes were those?

I couldn’t quite decipher the emotions behind her look.

Swish.

She barely shut her eyes for a moment, then turned her gaze away, wrapping herself in the blanket again, looking a bit exhausted.

“Why did you come alone…?”

Her quiet question reminded me of what Wi Seol-ah had said to me.

—I’ll come to see you again later.

—Aren’t you coming with me?

—No.

Her answer was firm.

I had just seen her face.

—I was really glad to see you today.

—I’ll see you tomorrow… Young master… no.

As she brushed back her hair, scattered by the winter wind, Wi Seol-ah smiled at me mildly.

—Gu Gongja-nim.

With that sweet tone, I had to clamp my mouth shut at that moment.

‘Tomorrow, huh.’

Wi Seol-ah had indeed said she would see me tomorrow.

This meant that

Wi Seol-ah was also going to Shinryong Temple.

‘Nothing has changed.’

I was glad to see her again, but it wasn’t all sunshine and rainbows.

Through the regression, several events had changed,

and along with knowing things I had no idea about, many things I wished for were in a twist as well.

But ultimately,

Wi Seol-ah’s direction hadn’t changed much.

Could I risk it?

Or could I bear whatever had been tweaked?

The anxiety persisted.

But there was no turning back now.

It wasn’t about whether I could do it anymore, it was a matter of needing to do it.

Nangong Bi-ah watched me silently from behind.

She turned her head away again.

She must have had her own feelings about how she got along with Wi Seol-ah.

Though she could have asked about it, she probably thought better of it after seeing my expression.

‘Everyone is so perceptive.’

Tang Soyeol was like that too.

Nangong Bi-ah too. Even Moyong Hi-ah.

Whenever I seemed off, they would pick up on it like ghosts.

I couldn’t do the same.

That was both burdensome and confusing.

Watching Nangong Bi-ah’s back, I slowly spoke up.

“But you know…”

“…Yeah?”

“Why are you sneaking around trying to sleep here?”

“Tsk.”

A short click of her tongue rang out.

Nangong Bi-ah rose from her spot.

Her expression showed she had been caught,

so she must have thought of slipping away unnoticed.

The inn’s top floor rooms were peculiarly large.

A young man seated beyond the hallway took a sip of alcohol.

Fine liquor.

It was a cheap drink sold only in Hanam.

If anyone heard the price, they would surely exclaim in surprise.

The young man continued drinking as if he didn’t care.

There were enough snacks in the streets to keep him satisfied.

One drink, two drinks.

As he emptied half of the bottle,

“Brother!”

An uninvited guest barged in through the door.

The young man sighed inwardly.

He had hoped to catch a break today.

Looking at the woman who barged in with a gruff look,

she asked as she had the day before,

“Really, are you Elder’s disciple?”

“…Ha. That’s the fourth time you’ve asked.”

Even though he answered her daily,

her continual questioning was annoying in several ways.

To be specific, it was bothersome.

“Is it hard to believe because you’ve asked so much?”

“I’m sure I said… it’s true.”

The young man, Bi Yi-jin, replied with a slight frown.

Only then did she finally shut her mouth.

Yet the way she pouted showed she wasn’t satisfied.

Watching her do that, Bi Yi-jin felt exasperated.

‘What a nuisance.’

He should have said it when this girl wasn’t around.

That was Bi Yi-jin’s mistake.

“What are you so unsatisfied about?”

“…It’s not that I’m unsatisfied. I just can’t understand why my brother lives so lazily yet is strong.”

“When did I ever live lazily…?”

He was living busier than anyone else.

But since Bi Bi didn’t know his circumstances, she naturally saw him like that.

“Tsk.”

But he couldn’t really explain it either.

This time he had to remain silent.

“Well then, when exactly did you meet Elder?”

“…Just happened by chance?”

“Did you happen to meet someone who’s called one of the Three Eminent Beings?”

“Day by day, such days come and go.”

“Anyone would think you’re older than seventy. But you’re only twenty, right?”

Twenty, please.

He had lived at least three times that long.

Bi Bi’s words made Bi Yi-jin bitterly smile to himself.

He hadn’t imagined he would end up in this situation.

A regret for his past choices.

Regret that he shouldn’t have made those decisions.

“Still, it’s a relief.”

“What do you mean?”

“Rumors are going around, you know? That Elder has taken on a disciple.”

“Ah.”

Was she talking about that?

He had laughed a lot when he heard it.

“To be honest, that was a bit regarding.”

“Regarding what?”

“Brother, to be overshadowed by the likes of other families’ disciples… it’s a bit upsetting, you know?”

The “Iron” she mentioned referred to Bi Ji-hwan, the eldest son of the current head of the Bi family.

Bi Yi-jin smiled as he heard her words.

Though somewhat silly, it seemed she had some feelings for her older brother.

However,

‘That idiot can’t be taken on as a disciple.’

In Bi Yi-jin’s eyes, Bi Ji-hwan was useless.

He was hot-headed, resembling their father.

Although he had some talent in martial arts since their blood ran mixed,

that level was nowhere near enough to be of any significance.

Since childhood, he had been diligently trying to mold him into a proper human being,

yet when it came to martial arts, he chose to stay away.

‘Had it not turned out this way, I wouldn’t have bothered about it either.’

Bi Yi-jin had no ties to the Bi family’s heritage.

From the beginning, he never even considered the notion of becoming the clan leader.

After all, Bi Yi-jin, no, Bi Ju,

had aimed solely to achieve his own martial prowess.

If the current clan leader hadn’t groveled and begged him to stay,

Bi Yi-jin wouldn’t have thought of staying here at all.

Let alone—

“Why do you look at me like that?”

“You’re ugly again today.”

“…Have you ever been hit by a wine bottle?”

“I’ve been hit many times.”

“Then how about trying it today?”

Had that brat not been there,

he would have ditched all these obligations to focus on the clan leader’s requests.

Though Bi Bi moved to swing the wine bottle diligently,

she was swiftly subdued by Bi Yi-jin’s hand.

Even with her hands bound, Bi Bi had no shortage of words.

“So, since you are really Elder’s disciple, it means the rumor about Gu So-hyeob is false?”

Clink.

While opening another bottle, Bi Yi-jin wore a cryptic expression at Bi Bi’s question.

“I don’t know.”

“Excuse me?”

“It’s possible I’m not the only one.”

“What do you mean? Aren’t you Elder’s disciple?”

“Is there really only one disciple in the world?”

Chuckles echoed out.

Bi Yi-jin just laughed.

While Bi Bi was agitated,

Bi Yi-jin had no intention of revealing the truth.

Watching her wallow in frustration was amusing, so he planned to observe a bit longer.

Amidst it all, Bi Bi recalled a certain boy.

‘That Gu Ryoon is still around…’

The boy she met at the inn last time.

The one who treated his friend like family, allegedly.

His face looked just like their father’s.

Moreover, it wasn’t just the face that resembled.

‘You can’t fool blood.’

When Bi Yi-jin first saw Gu Yangcheong,

he was filled with admiration.

How well had he trained?

His well-formed muscles left behind a perfect physique brought about by years of martial arts.

The energetic aura inside him was dazzling even to Bi Yi-jin.

He wondered if perhaps he was someone who had gone through a similar situation as he had.

The Rejuvenation Technique.

A pathetic curse that made you sacrifice all that you built to just buy time.

Bi Yi-jin thought Gu Yangcheong might have experienced the Rejuvenation Technique too,

but,

‘If that was true, he couldn’t have developed that body.’

His blood qi would weaken, deteriorating his physical body to a pitiful state.

Bi Yi-jin himself—

Had to endure unspeakable hardships just to transform this pathetic body into an ordinary one.

But Gu Yangcheong was different.

Unlike him, his body was perfect for creating martial arts.

It was unfortunate that he was small of stature,

but even so, his ability to control his body perfectly spoke volumes.

There are only two circumstances where someone his age could attain such a body.

One was a martial artist exceeding the peak or transformation realm.

Returning to childhood during their peak and then working diligently to train, that would lead to this.

The second case is—

‘Someone with extreme talent.’

If we disregard the first case as impossible unless a master would regress,

then only the second case remained.

‘Since he must have been blessed with such talent, that’s why he’s at that level now.’

When they encountered each other, Bi Yi-jin could tell Gu Yangcheong was not limited to merely the peak.

He had a body that perfectly balanced muscular power and aura.

In addition, there was a slight elevation of his aura, ensuring he could respond to any situation, as well as an understanding of where he needed to head next.

…

!

Just like someone who had reached the transformation realm before.

‘How could he conceal it so well that even I had difficulty noticing.’

The aura of Gu Yangcheong was at a level that even Pejon would have found out only after several days of observation.

They had heard he hadn’t yet reached adulthood.

But already preparing to reach transformation realm?

Let alone nearing it?

If it were said that Pejon broke through the peak shortly after passing his youth,

considering that the other two individuals, who stand at the pinnacle, had also reached their peak at a younger age,

no matter how outstanding the rising stars of this generation are,

Gu Yangcheong’s achievements were likely far beyond that.

If he were to blossom further, developing his talent,

it was likely he would become a martial artist of the Three Eminent Beings.

‘If done right.’

Therefore, Pejon was keeping a close watch on Gu Yangcheong.

If done right,

it could happen.

Gazing out the window, Bi Yi-jin smiled.

Initially, he was merely intrigued as to who that Gu Ryoon was that continuously yapped away.

Unintentionally, he wanted guidance and brushed it off for being a nuisance.

Then he was curious—just how great was Gu Yangcheong to have rumors of him spreading around?

Bi Yi-jin harbored no animosity towards it.

After all, he was the one yearning to have a disciple more than anyone else.

However,

If someone without a shred of talent went around acting as if they were his disciple…

‘That would be something to snap at.’

But upon meeting Gu Yangcheong, he found him quite decent.

Actually, it was even better than that.

‘Found you.’

The long-awaited moment had finally arrived.

He found someone with a body like that and such an aura to control it,

the alluding hope of Bi Yi-jin for many years.

That is why he was the first to extend his hand in greeting to Gu Yangcheong.

‘Why did he have that expression?’

Bi Yi-jin wondered.

When he extended his hand, Gu Yangcheong appeared strangely cautious around him.

Availing himself, he seemed prepared to counter any ambush,

keeping tabs on all those around him, assessing how to minimize damage in case a fight broke out.

The issue was—

‘Why?’

It was still a mystery.

‘Did he know who I was?’

If so, that could somewhat explain it.

Yet the likelihood was slim.

If Gu Ryoon spouted off carelessly, it would be understandable.

That lunatic had a temperament akin to a mutt, yet he wasn’t the type to casually speak of a friend.

In that case,

What exactly was it about him that made Gu Yangcheong so wary?

Instinct, perhaps?

‘If it’s that, then that’s good.’

The instinct of a martial artist should always be on alert, sharp and poised.

That’s great.

Pejon downed another sip of wine.

The more he looked at him, the better he felt.

Perhaps, just perhaps,

‘…I can perfect this.’

He might see the completion of his martial arts through Gu Yangcheong.

As that thought crossed his mind, the alcohol went down smoothly.

As he began sipping, Bi Bi approached him, pointing at something.

“Oh, Brother. Over there…”

The direction of her finger pointed to something Bi Yi-jin had already been keeping an eye on.

“Brother, are those people… right?”

At Bi Bi’s question, Bi Yi-jin nodded.

‘Those are the forces of Nakgyeom.’

Several groups were forming in the busy nighttime streets.

Given the day was significant, it seemed those who needed to gather began to do so.

With that, the streets were filled with people.

‘Hmm…’

Among them,

the martial robe adorned with dark-colored patterns stood out.

It was a sign of belonging to the current clan leader, Jang Cheon of the Nakgyeom clan.

‘By the way, I wonder if that treasure went off well.’

The treasure he had briefly borrowed from the Martial Alliance.

It was something he meant to personally deliver when attending the Dragon Meeting.

Yet he had forgotten to hand it over entirely. He even left behind a letter with excuses.

Later, Gu Ryoon had taken it upon himself to deliver it.

‘He must have handled it well.’

Thinking that, Bi Yi-jin pushed the thought out of his mind.

“Is the one at the front a sacred being?”

At Bi Bi’s remark, Bi Yi-jin slightly shifted his gaze.

At that moment, a strikingly handsome young man walking at the forefront caught his eye.

“Isn’t he handsome…?”

Bi Bi mumbled, gazing at the young man.

What a striking face.

His benevolent features and the delicate line of his jaw gave off a vibe of a well-bred young master.

“I think that person is a sacred being.”

The recently rising martial artist and the son of the clan leader, Shin Yi.

“Really handsome…”

Bi Bi seemed enchanted by Shin Yi’s face, unable to look away.

‘At such a face, does he also possess martial skills?’

Perfect… perfect.

Bi Bi simply nodded.

Meanwhile, Bi Yi-jin wasn’t concerned about the concept of sacred beings.

He seemed outstanding,

but he felt no special aura from him.

‘Hmm.’

Rather,

It was the individual walking right behind the so-called sacred being that captivated Bi Yi-jin’s attention.

Though wrapped in a cloak, he could gauge by the body shape that it was a woman.

The sword hanging at her waist signified her to be a sword master.

Additionally,

‘…What’s this?’

A faint aura exuded from her, familiar as well.

Familiarity was no surprise.

It was the aura he had endured numerous times, chalking him face-first into the ground.

A sword that slices the sky and the moon.

Inhaling the aura brought to mind an elderly figure known to stand tall upon a sharp blade called Moonlight Slash.

As he reminisced, Pejon found himself smiling broadly.

The aura emanating from the woman was certainly—

‘That old man.’

The master of Sword Sovereign, Wi Hyogun.

 

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